Before you book your PET-CT
Hidden Charges in PET-CT Scans: — What to Check Before You Book
The price you see advertised for a PET-CT scan in India often does not include the tracer, the radiologist's report, or tax. Knowing which questions to ask before you confirm a booking is the one thing that protects you from a bill larger than you expected.
Medically reviewed by Dr. C. Raghavendra Reddy, Medical Oncologist, MBBS (Gold Medal) · DNB · DM (Medical Oncology, Gold Medal) · Last reviewed September 2026
- The tracer is often quoted separately — The radioactive substance injected before a PET-CT is frequently the largest item and is not always in the headline price.
- Reporting is a separate fee at many centres — The nuclear medicine physician who interprets your images may charge independently from the scan facility.
- GST may not be shown upfront — Some centres quote a net price and add tax at the counter. Ask before you book, not when you are paying.
- A written quote changes everything — Centres that will not put the full breakdown in writing are worth knowing about before you pay, not after.
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A PET-CT quote in India commonly leaves out the tracer cost, the radiologist's reporting fee, and GST. Asking six specific questions before you confirm gets you a complete total. The breakdown below shows every charge that can appear on a PET-CT invoice, and what an honest written quote should include.
A whole-body PET-CT at CION costs from Rs 10,499 — among the lowest published prices in Hyderabad. Indicative price, as of September 2026.
What charges get added on top of the headline price?
| Charge | What it covers | Typically included in headline price? |
|---|---|---|
| Tracer (FDG or other radiopharmaceutical) | The radioactive substance injected before the scan — the single largest variable cost | Often not — frequently invoiced as a separate line |
| Radiologist / nuclear medicine report | The doctor's written interpretation of your scan images | Sometimes — ask explicitly before booking |
| GST | Tax on applicable components of the invoice | Not always shown in the advertised or telephoned price |
| CD or digital copy of images | Images to share with your treating oncologist or for a second opinion | Rarely — usually charged at the counter |
| Registration or file fee | Administrative charge to open your record at the imaging centre | Sometimes added at check-in without prior mention |
| Sedation (where required) | Medication for anxious patients or young children who cannot stay still | Charged separately where used — ask if this applies to you |
| IV cannula and consumables | Needle, tubing, and disposables for the tracer injection | Usually included — worth confirming when you book |
What does a complete quote look like versus a vague one?
| Item | What a complete quote states | What a vague quote states |
|---|---|---|
| Tracer / radiopharmaceutical | Included in the stated price | "FDG extra" or simply not mentioned |
| Radiologist's report | Included, or separately itemised with a stated fee | "Reporting fee applicable" with no figure given |
| GST | "Price is GST-inclusive" stated clearly | "GST extra as applicable" or not mentioned at all |
| CD / images | Included or clearly priced per copy | "CD charges payable at counter" |
| Cancellation policy | Notice period and any fee stated clearly | Not mentioned — you find out only when you cancel |
| Total you will pay | One figure with all components accounted for | "Starting from" or a headline price with asterisks |
PET-CT Partner Centres
PET-CT Scan Centres in Hyderabad
CION offers PET-CT scans through 4 trusted partner PET-CT centres across Hyderabad, so you can choose the one closest to you. Call 18002028726 and we’ll guide you to the earliest available appointment.
PET-CT Centre — Punjagutta
PET-CT Centre — Himayatnagar
PET-CT Centre — Narayanaguda
These are partner diagnostic centres within the CION network. Toll-free booking: 18002028726.
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Medical Oncologist
Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla
MBBS, MD(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Adyar,Chennai), ECMO, MRCP SCE(UK)
Medical Oncologist
Dr. Owais Mohammed
MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DrNB (Medical Oncology), ECMO, MRCP SCE (Medical Oncology) (UK)
Medical Oncologist
Medical Oncologist
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Dr. Muralidhar Muddusetty
MBBS (AIIMS), MS (Surgery) (AIIMS), DNB (Surgical Oncology), MRCS (Edinburgh)
Surgical Oncologist
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Dr. Vinay Mamidala
MBBS, MS(General Surgery), M.Ch(Surgical Oncology), FMAS, FARIS(Ongoing)
Surgical Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Hematologist
Interventional Radiologist
Dr. Mohammed Imran
Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Vajja Sandeep Kumar
MBBS, MS (General Surgery), DrNB (Surgical Oncology), FALS Oncology
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An itemised estimate, plus a check of which schemes you may qualify for.
How do I avoid hidden charges when booking a PET-CT scan?
Ask whether the price includes the tracer
Ask this first, and ask which tracer is being used. FDG is the most common, but some scans use other agents. The tracer is often the largest single cost on the invoice and is sometimes supplied by a separate facility, which is why it is frequently billed separately.
Ask whether the radiologist's reporting fee is included
At many centres the scan facility and the interpreting nuclear medicine physician bill independently. Confirm whether the written report is part of the quoted price, or whether you will receive a second invoice for interpretation.
Ask whether the price is GST-inclusive
Some centres quote a net price and present the GST-added total only at the counter. Ask directly whether the figure they have given you is GST-inclusive, and note the answer.
Ask whether CD or image charges are included
Your treating oncologist will need your scan images. Ask whether a digital or physical copy is included in the price, and how many copies that covers. If you need images in a specific format for a second opinion, mention that too.
Ask about the cancellation and rescheduling policy
The tracer is prepared fresh for your specific appointment and cannot be stored or used for another patient. Most centres apply a cancellation fee if you cancel with short notice. Know this before you confirm, not after.
Ask for the complete breakdown in writing
Request that the centre send the full quote — tracer, report, GST, images, and cancellation terms — by email, message, or printed receipt before your appointment. A centre willing to do this is one that stands behind the price. Keep the written quote until after you receive and review your final bill.
Did you know?
The radioactive tracer used in a PET-CT scan has a half-life of roughly two hours. It is synthesised specifically for your appointment and cannot be stored or used for another patient.
This is why the tracer is frequently invoiced separately from the scan itself, and why most centres apply a cancellation fee when you cancel at short notice — the dose was already prepared the moment you confirmed your slot.
Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) — Radiation Protection in Nuclear Medicine
PET-CT at CION starts from Rs 10,499 — among the lowest published prices in Hyderabad — across 4 partner centres in Banjara Hills, Punjagutta, Himayatnagar and Narayanaguda. Indicative price, as of September 2026.
Explore 88 more Understanding PET-CT, Cost, Booking & Records topics
PET-CT Cost, Insurance & Schemes
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- Free and Subsidised PET-CT: Government Options and Waiting Times
- Hidden Charges in PET-CT Scans: What to Check Before You Book
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- Is PET-CT Worth the Cost Compared With a CT Scan?
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- PET-CT Scan Cost in Hyderabad: The Full Price List
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- Paying for a PET-CT Scan From Abroad
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- Repeat PET-CT Scans: What Each Follow-Up Costs
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- What Does the Free Consultation With Your Scan Include?
- What Is Included in a PET-CT Scan Price — and What Is Not
- Why Do PET-CT Prices Vary So Much Between Centres?
- Why PET-CT Insurance Claims Get Rejected
Booking, Access & District Logistics
- Booking Without a Doctor's Referral
- Booking a PET-CT for Someone Living Abroad
- Can You Get a PET-CT Scan Closer to Home?
- Getting an Urgent PET-CT Scan
- How Early Should You Arrive for Your Scan?
- How to Book a PET-CT Scan in Hyderabad
- PET-CT for Patients From Nalgonda and Suryapet
- PET-CT for Patients From North Andhra
- PET-CT for Patients Travelling From Karimnagar
- PET-CT for Patients Travelling From Khammam
- PET-CT for Patients Travelling From Nizamabad
- PET-CT for Patients Travelling From Warangal
- Rescheduling or Cancelling a PET-CT Scan
- What Happens If You Miss Your PET-CT Slot?
- Where to Stay Near a PET-CT Centre in Hyderabad
- Why PET-CT Slots Are Fixed and Cannot Be Moved
Choosing a PET-CT Centre & Quality
- AERB Approval and Radiation Safety Licensing
- Comparing Two Quotes: What Is Actually Different?
- Digital PET and Time-of-Flight: What They Actually Change
- Do You Need to Go to the Same Centre for Follow-Up Scans?
- Does an Oncologist-Reviewed Report Actually Help?
- Does the PET-CT Scanner Model Matter?
- Getting a PET-CT at a Government Hospital in Telangana
- How to Choose a PET-CT Centre in Hyderabad
- Questions to Ask a PET-CT Centre Before Booking
- Red Flags When Choosing a Scan Centre
- Same-Day and Walk-In PET-CT Appointments
- Standalone Diagnostic Lab vs a Cancer Centre
- The Four PET-CT Centres in Hyderabad: Which Is Nearest?
- What Makes a PET-CT Report Good?
- What to Do If You Are Unhappy With Your Scan or Report
- Who Reads Your Scan Matters More Than the Machine
Reports, Records & Second Opinions
- Comparing a New Scan With Your Previous One
- Do You Need a Repeat Scan or Just a Re-Read?
- Errors and Corrections in Scan Reports
- Getting a Second Opinion on Your PET-CT Report
- How to Get a Digital Copy of Your PET-CT Images
- Keeping Your Scan Records for the Long Term
- Sharing Your Scan With a Doctor Abroad
- Taking Your PET-CT Report to Another Hospital
- Understanding the Nuclear Medicine Specialist's Role
- What You Receive: Report, Images, CD and DICOM
- What to Do If the Report Says Something You Do Not Understand
- When Is a Second Opinion on a Scan Worth It?
- When Will You Get Your PET-CT Report?
- Why Two Reports on the Same Scan Can Differ
Understanding PET-CT & When It Is Needed
- Can a PET-CT Scan Be Normal and Cancer Still Be Present?
- Can a PET-CT Scan Detect Cancer Anywhere in the Body?
- Do You Need a Biopsy If the PET-CT Is Positive?
- Do You Need a Doctor's Referral for a PET-CT Scan?
- Does a PET-CT Scan Mean I Have Cancer?
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- PET-CT Scan Terminology: A Plain-English Glossary
- PET-CT When the Primary Cancer Cannot Be Found
- PET-CT for Staging: Working Out How Far Cancer Has Spread
- PET-CT to Check Whether Treatment Is Working
- PET-CT to Look for Cancer Coming Back
- Questions to Ask Before Booking a PET-CT Scan
- What Can a PET-CT Scan Detect — and What It Cannot
- What Is a PET-CT Scan and How Does It Work?
- What Is a Radiotracer and Which One Will I Be Given?
- Who Should Not Have a PET-CT Scan?
- Whole-Body PET-CT vs a Limited or Regional Scan
- Why Has My Doctor Ordered a PET-CT Scan?
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Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Is the advertised price for a PET-CT scan in India ever the final price?
Rarely, without asking first. The advertised or telephoned quote at most centres covers the scanner time only. The tracer, the radiologist's report, GST, and image charges are the four items most often absent from a headline price. Once you have asked all six questions on this page and received written confirmation of each, you have a figure you can rely on.
Why is the tracer billed separately from the scan?
The tracer is a pharmaceutical product, not a service. It is often produced at a cyclotron facility separate from the imaging centre, arrives with its own supply chain and regulatory documentation, and loses most of its radioactivity within hours of production. Because it is a distinct product from a distinct supplier, it is frequently invoiced on a separate line or as a separate bill altogether. Some centres bundle it into a single price as a convenience; many do not.
Is GST charged on PET-CT scans in India?
A PET-CT invoice can involve several components — the scan service, the pharmaceutical tracer, the radiologist's interpretation fee — and these components may be classified differently for tax purposes. The only practical approach is to ask the centre directly whether the price they have quoted is GST-inclusive. Do not assume it is, and do not assume it is not. Get the answer stated clearly before you book.
What can I do if the final bill is higher than the quote I was given?
Ask for an itemised bill before you pay, and compare each line against your written quote. If a charge appears that was not mentioned when you booked, ask the centre to explain it. A centre that provided a written quote cannot legitimately add items that were not on it or caveated at the time of booking. Keeping a screenshot or printed copy of the original quote is the only practical protection you have if a dispute arises.
Will my health insurance cover a PET-CT scan?
Many Indian health insurance policies cover PET-CT when it is ordered by an oncologist or treating specialist, with a written referral and the relevant diagnostic code. The key steps are: call your insurer before you book to confirm coverage and ask whether pre-authorisation is required; obtain the referral letter from your treating doctor; and check whether the policy specifies approved or network imaging centres. Claiming without pre-authorisation is one of the most common reasons reimbursements are rejected or significantly delayed.
How does CION arrange a PET-CT, and who do I ask about charges?
CION coordinates PET-CT scans through partner imaging centres rather than running its own scanners. When your oncologist at CION refers you for a scan, the team will direct you to a specific partner centre and assist with the coordination. The charges for the scan — including the tracer, report, and any additional items — are set by that partner centre. Use the six questions on this page when you call to confirm your appointment, and ask for the complete breakdown in writing before you attend.